Former New England Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch came to the defense of Aaron Hernandez after his eighth annual Skills and Drills camp at Albany State University . The receiver said Saturday he was "shocked" to hear Hernandez was accused of murder.

Hernandez was arrested and charged Wednesday with first-degree murder for the slaying of 27-year old semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd. He also has five other gun-related charges and is being held without bond.

Aaron Hernandez was charged with the murder of Odin Lloyd and five other gun-related charges Wednesday. (AP Photo)

"Aaron is a great guy and a great friend of mine and a great teammate," Branch told John Millikan of The Albany Herald. "I love him to death, and it was shocking to hear his name involved in this situation. I truly hope and pray he doesn't have any dealings with it."

Branch is a free agent after spending the past three years with the Patriots. He was acquired from the Seattle Seahawks in 2010 — Hernandez's rookie season with the Patriots. He lives across the street from Hernandez's home in North Attleborough, Mass.

Current Patriots have stayed quiet about the team's former tight end, as he was released less than two hours after his arrest. The request for silence came from the team's front office. The Patriots are also offering anyone with a Hernandez jersey the chance to exchange the jersey for another one.

"That's my guy, man," Branch said of Hernandez. "That's my guy. It really shocked me. He was a great kid. Overall, I hope the best that he isn’t involved with it and I hope he gets his name cleared, but most importantly I send my prayers and condolences out to the Lloyd family."

Police in Boston are investigating whether Hernandez was involved in a two slayings in July 2012. Officials believe information Lloyd had about that case could be the motive for Hernandez to kill Lloyd.

Whether it is the doing of Hernandez or not, Branch's greatest concern is justice.

"Nobody deserves to walk, whoever the person is that did it," Branch said. "Most of all what we as Americans need to understand is that is somebody's child that was a victim. That’s somebody's dad, and my prayers and thoughts go out to his family and hope that they bring whoever did this to their child to justice, regardless of who it is."